Kia Optima Complaints (2020)

155 consumer complaints on file.

#11667144June 16, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure do to excessive oil consumption. I do have records. Not able to file now. Please contact if needed Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665785June 9, 2025
ENGINE
Car consumes a lot of oil. Approximately 5 quarts per week-faulty engine parts allowing oil to seep into the combustion chamber. The oil is then ignited along with the fuel, creating blue-tinted exhaust smoke. It is burning out spark plugs which is then wearing them out and almost caused car accident when car started sputtering and would not barely go once pressing gas. Has been inspected by KIA dealership. Was told engine needs to be replaced-warranty expired and nothing can be done. Car only 2 years old when this problem started and they will not replace.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665441June 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2020 Kia Optima LX 2.4, LESS THAN 100,000 miles on car. Car started over consuming oil 2 quarts/1,000 miles. Cranked engine yesterday to go to work and serious knocking sounds, engine is rattling severely. Losing revving power, undriveable. Smoke coming out of exhaust that smells like rotten eggs. Will be taking this to get codes run but I believe this is due to Theta II engine failure issue reported in similar cars with the same engine. KIA NEEDS TO COVER THE 2020 OPTIMA UNDER LIFETIME WARRANTY PROTECTION otherwise this is a $10,000 cost to replace engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664354June 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On multiple occasions, the HEV system warning light and check engine light activated while I was driving at highway speeds. Immediately after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle suddenly decelerated, putting me and other drivers at risk. This issue has occurred several times and is clearly a serious safety hazard. Each time this occurred, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership ([Dealership Name]) for inspection. However, despite the vehicle being under the Kia hybrid system and/or powertrain warranty (10 years/100,000 miles), I was recently informed that the necessary repairs would not be covered under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664106May 31, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
by the time i’m due for an oil change the car has no oil. there is no leak and no smoke to show car is burning oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663266May 27, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
When the vehicle was about 3 years old and at 60,000 miles, the fuel injector went out. Kia took weeks to approve the replacement under warranty. Since then the engine light came on and said cylinder 3 has leak and fouls the plug. We've had it repaired 3 times. The mechanic said it would be too costly to repair and the engine should be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662323May 21, 2025
ENGINE
engine's knock sensor
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661481May 16, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought my car brand new in July of 2020. In Spetember of 2023 roughly around 60,000 miles the engine started consuming large amounts of oil. The dealership put me through the so-called warranty process 3x over a years' time. They refused to file warranty paperwork within the year I was going through the process. I have documentation clearly showing the engine burning 2 qtrs. every 1000 miles. I still have a car that I am paying on that needs a new engine that should have been replaced under warranty, but KIA failed to honor the warranty. I have been left stranded on the side of the road multiple times with my 3 children needing oil. Not to mention the car will lock by itself with it running and no one in the car. The screen where the radio is will just go blank.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660698May 13, 2025
ENGINE
UNKNOWN, Engine excessively burns oil and is now seized. Kia used the same engine in this car as they did in the 2016-19 Models which were recalled for engine failure, however mine was not included. 2.4 Theda Engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658199May 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden the blinking lights of the check engine light came on and automatically I went from 75 mph down to 63 mph and when I looked up what it was, it was the knock detection system of the 2020 Kia Optima. I could not accelerate beyond 63 mph and I fear that the engine might stall on me so I went to O’Reillys and have them check it and it says it’s the P1326 Code
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657548April 29, 2025
ENGINE
The car drives slowly and sputters because oil is burning out quickly. I have to replenish oil continuously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653605April 9, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Accelerating at a normal rate to get on the highway and the check engine light starts flashing out of nowhere and car goes into limp mode. Made it to local shop and they informed me it was a P1326 code and that a knock sensor would have to be replaced, but that Kia has recalled the older models for this same reason.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651623March 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Hi, thank you for taking the time to look over my complaint. On Saturday march 22 while driving down the highway going about 75 mph, my car died. The check engine light was flashing and so was the oil light. I pulled over to the shoulder and when I tried cranking the car it sounded like a rumming noise and the car would not stay on. I had the vehicle towed to Texas Star Auto Shop. On monday march 24th i spoke with the mechanic and he said there is an internal engine problem . Since I am a 2nd owner and the car has 105,736 miles kia will not honor their extended warranty and I am left to pay out of pocket for repairs est cost 10,000+. I am now without a reliable transportation. This has left me annoyed and unhappy with the assistance from Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651035March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Dealing with sudden excessive oil consumption at 130,000 miles. Had an oil change about 2,000 miles ago and oil sensor has been going off after 1,500-2,000 miles driven. Mechanic put 3 more quarts in and a week and a half later oil sensor is going off again indicating low oil. Mechanic confined this has been a frequent problem with this engine and insists piston rings are faulty & will eventually need engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650912March 26, 2025
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear driver’s side window. The contact discovered that the glass had shattered. The contact stated that the Police Department advised her to contact the dealer where the vehicle was purchased, not the Insurance Company. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by a manufacturing defect. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected or repaired. diagnoses. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,009.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647960March 12, 2025
ENGINE
Same issue as the 2011-2019 recalled vehicles. (P1326)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647773March 11, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I am filing this complaint due to severe and ongoing safety defects in my 2020 Kia Optima EX, which has repeatedly stalled while driving, creating a life-threatening road hazard. Since September 2024, my vehicle has suffered from major failures, including a complete transmission replacement, multiple high-pressure fuel pump replacements, multiple oil flushes due to fuel contamination, and all fuel injectors replaced. Despite all of these “repairs” performed by a Kia-authorized dealership, the check engine light continues to return, and the vehicle still stalls unexpectedly, making it dangerous to drive. On March 10, 2025, after Kia claimed to have tested the vehicle for 200 miles, I picked up the car from the dealership, only for it to stall and trigger the check engine light within hours before I even reached my destination. This vehicle has been returned to me multiple times in an unsafe condition. Additionally, an independent mechanic discovered an engine oil leak and a torn axle that Kia’s dealership never disclosed. This raises major concerns about their lack of proper inspection and repair procedures. This is a serious safety issue that Kia refuses to take accountability for. I request an immediate investigation into this matter before this defect leads to an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646384March 4, 2025
ENGINE
Oil consumption has rapidly been increasing causing the loss of several quarts of oil. Inspection by service center confirmed this is a known Kia issue and recommended a flush to help combat some of the issue. Service center did note that this issue would not fix the problem, but put off needing to replace the engine. Oil light was not flashing on the dash unless coming to a quick stop, but then would disappear. The value of these cars has resulted in quite a bit of negative equity for folks due to the theft issue. Now add on a fear of blowing an engine cause your vehicle is burning through oil like no tomorrow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645212February 27, 2025
ENGINE
My car is using a lot of oil and I have to change the oil every 2 thousand miles, oil light will come on and I check the oil and it shows the oil stick almost dry within 2,000 miles after having oil changed. The car will loose power and has a ticking noise in the motor. It’s frustrating to have to change the oil every 2,000 miles instead of every 3,000-5,000 miles like most vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645355February 27, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating and there was excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the piston rings were faulty, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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